Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Knit Hedgehog

So, since a friend of mine loves hedgehogs, I decided to knit her one for Christmas/her birthday a few years ago. I used my own pattern (read: made it up as I went along) and this little guy is the result! Not too shabby.

Mr. H. Edge Hog is pleased to make your acquaintance. Even if he doesn't show it.

A side view - Mr. Hog has been eating a few too many biscuits at tea and so is a bit on the portly side. (H. Edge Hog is totally British in my head ...)

PATTERN

This is my very first pattern, and I've tested it, but if you see any problems or know of any easier ways to accomplish what I've done, please tell me!

Working in the round, cast on 9 stitches with your dark brown yarn. Put 3 stitches on each of the 3 needles.

Round 1: Knit
Round 2: k1, kfb across (12 sts total, 4 on each)
Round 2: kfb across (24 sts total, 8 on each)
Round 3: K1, kfb across (36 total, 12 on each)
Round 4: k2, kfb across (48 total, 16 on each)
Round 5: knit until body length is about 4 inches, or a good 'hedgehog size' (it might help to do the legs first so you can see how he'd look with them/if they'd be too close, etc. ... really this part is flexible as I just knit until it looked right)

Once your body is a good length, flip your knitting inside out, so the purl stitch is on the outside (okay, I guess, if you wanted to, you could just purl the whole thing, but I started this while on a bus and supervising forty five screaming thirteen year olds, so I was only doing it with half a mind.) Using the tail of the dark brown and a yarn needle, stitch closed the hind end (where you started) and weave in the tail. Stuff as much as you'd like while still on the needles (about 3/4 is good).

Use a yarn needle to close the end by taking the yarn needle and weave it through each stitch on the dp needles. Pull closed. Then I tuck the tail ends of the yarn on the inside of the leg. Stuff!

Whipstitch the legs onto the body.

Using black embroidery thread, embroider on his (her?) little nose - I just did the tip. You can also add button eyes, or embroider them on if you choose (I tried and failed at that, hence the buttons!)